There's an even more beautiful conspiracy theory. It involves the NSA, and it goes like this:

1. Cut cable at point A, which takes time to reach2. Cut cable at point B, distant from point A2a. Note that (2) is undetectable, since the cable is out anyway3. Splice cable at point B, including a little cabletap device4. Wait for point A to be fixed5. You now have a working cable you have a tap on